Potenza secured a 2-1 victory over Bari in the Italian Serie C PRO Cup on 28 October 2026, advancing in the competition thanks to a composed first-half opener, a resilient response after the interval and a late finish that settled a tight cup tie at the Stadio Alfredo Viviani.

The result gives Potenza momentum in a knockout competition that rewards teams able to combine rotation with intensity, while Bari leave with the frustration of having controlled long spells without turning territory into clear chances. It was a classic cup-night contrast: Potenza’s directness and set-piece threat against Bari’s patient possession game.

Match overview

Potenza started with purpose and looked to press Bari’s first line whenever the visitors tried to play out from the back. The home side’s early energy was rewarded just before the 20-minute mark when a deep corner caused confusion in the Bari penalty area. Potenza’s midfield kept the second ball alive, and the opener gave the home crowd a clear lift.

Bari responded with their best period of the first half. The visitors moved the ball quickly through midfield and found space between Potenza’s lines, eventually equalising before the break with a low, first-time strike from the edge of the box. That goal changed the mood of the match and set up a far more open second half.

Key moments

• 18th minute: Potenza take the lead from a corner, with Andrea Palmieri rising highest at the far post to head back across goal and into the net.
• 39th minute: Bari equalise through Davide Moretti, whose controlled finish from the edge of the area beats the goalkeeper after a neat exchange in midfield.
• 57th minute: Bari’s best chance of the second half arrives from a quick counter, but Potenza goalkeeper Giacomo Russo stands tall to block the shot at close range.
• 84th minute: Potenza find the winner when Luca Santoro arrives late in the box to convert a low cross, sparking loud celebrations around the stadium.

Tactical story

Potenza set up with a compact shape and looked to force Bari into wide areas, where the home side could press in pairs and win the ball back quickly. Their best moments came from transitions and set pieces, and they were happy to concede possession in harmless areas while protecting the central corridor.

Bari, by contrast, built patiently through midfield and tried to isolate their wide players in one-on-one situations. The equaliser was a reward for that approach, but the visitors struggled to sustain pressure after the hour mark. Potenza’s substitutions added fresh legs in midfield, and the winning goal came from exactly the kind of late box entry that had been missing for much of the second half.

Standout players

Giacomo Russo’s second-half save was arguably the turning point for Potenza, keeping the score level when Bari looked most likely to take control. Luca Santoro’s late winner will take the headlines, but Andrea Palmieri’s opening goal and all-round work in both boxes underlined Potenza’s set-piece quality. For Bari, Davide Moretti was the most dangerous attacker, linking play and finishing his equaliser with real composure.

What the result means

Potenza move into the next round of the Italian Serie C PRO Cup with belief intact, and the manner of the win — disciplined defensively, dangerous from set pieces and ruthless late on — will please the coaching staff. Bari exit the competition after a performance that had positives in possession but lacked the final touch in the decisive moments. For Potenza, the victory is also a useful confidence boost ahead of their next league fixture.